MR. GOLF: Gray living her dream at Alabama

Published: Monday, June 24, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, June 23, 2013 at 11:34 p.m.

Cammie Gray didn’t have to go far for college, as she lives in Northport, and playing golf at the University of Alabama was “her dream.”

Well, she is living that dream, but the recent Women’s State Amateur champion has had to make some adjustments.

She redshirted her freshman year, so now has four years in which to compete. The redshirt was tough to deal with in the beginning.

“Early on I was disappointed, as I knew I could not play in tournaments for a year, but I have taken so many positives out of it.

“Alabama is an elite level program and I knew I’d have to raise my game (to compete).”

Homeschooled, she began her studies at the Capstone “ahead on hours” and figures the redshirt will help her graduate with not only an undergraduate, but a graduate degree as well.

Winning the Women’s State Amateur means she now holds both the State Amateur and State Stroke Play titles concurrently, a very rare occurrence achieved only by state legends Virginia Derby Grimes and Kathy Hartwiger (multiple times). Gray will defend her Stroke Play title July 26-28 at Cherokee Ridge in Union Grove.

She noted she has worked a lot on the mental side of her game with her college coaches Mic Potter and Susan Rosenstiel. Two weeks ago she attended an Athletes in Action “Ultimate Training Camp” in Fort Collins, Colo., and it had a profound affect on her.

“I attend FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) meetings at Alabama and they showed us an AIA video about the camp at one of the meetings. I told my friends right then, ‘I’m sold. I want to go.’”

Go she did, and she talked profoundly of “living out her faith in your sport for an audience of one.

“Playing for God and for no one else made a huge difference for me.”

In July, Gray will attempt to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Amateur and will play in the Tennessee Open before defending her State Stroke Play title.

Future Masters

The 64th playing of the storied Future Masters began Sunday at Dothan Country Club. Age groups for 10-under, 11-12 and 13-14 compete three days ending Tuesday, with the 15-18 age group teeing it up Thursday-Saturday.

Tuscaloosa boys to look for include Northport’s Seth Rogers (10-and-under), with Trey Rose, Jackson Seawell and William Walker III all competing in the 15-18 age group.

Last year’s overall champion was Wilmer’s Robby Shelton IV, who will begin his freshman year on the golf team at the University of Alabama this fall.

Greystone Invitational

Tuscaloosa’s Tyler Hitchner was crowned champion in the 13th playing of the prestigious Greystone Invitational on the Founders Course at Greystone Golf & Country Club in Birmingham on Sunday. The 17-year-old, who will be a homeschooled senior this fall, shot rounds of 73-72-69-72 for a 2-under-par total of 286. He beat Caleb Sturgeon on the first playoff hole, the par-5 18th, with a par, becoming the youngest winner of this event.

Hitchner has verbally committed to play for the University of Alabama in 2014-15. Recent Alabama senior Scott Strohmeyer finished tied for third at 289, with current Alabama golfer Tom Lovelady tied for fifth a stroke back.

University of Alabama junior Justin Thomas finished tied 30th in the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship. Thomas parlayed a sponsor’s exemption to fire rounds of 72-66-66-73—277 in the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship and finish 3 under par.

Ian Thompson has been writing about golf in Alabama for nearly 20 years. His weekly “Mr. Golf” column concentrates on golfers, golf events and people associated with the sport of interest to the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham areas. Reach him with story ideas at ian@thompsonteesoff.com.

<p>Cammie Gray didn't have to go far for college, as she lives in Northport, and playing golf at the University of Alabama was “her dream.”</p><p>Well, she is living that dream, but the recent Women's State Amateur champion has had to make some adjustments.</p><p>She redshirted her freshman year, so now has four years in which to compete. The redshirt was tough to deal with in the beginning.</p><p>“Early on I was disappointed, as I knew I could not play in tournaments for a year, but I have taken so many positives out of it.</p><p>“Alabama is an elite level program and I knew I'd have to raise my game (to compete).”</p><p>Homeschooled, she began her studies at the Capstone “ahead on hours” and figures the redshirt will help her graduate with not only an undergraduate, but a graduate degree as well.</p><p>Winning the Women's State Amateur means she now holds both the State Amateur and State Stroke Play titles concurrently, a very rare occurrence achieved only by state legends Virginia Derby Grimes and Kathy Hartwiger (multiple times). Gray will defend her Stroke Play title July 26-28 at Cherokee Ridge in Union Grove.</p><p>She noted she has worked a lot on the mental side of her game with her college coaches Mic Potter and Susan Rosenstiel. Two weeks ago she attended an Athletes in Action “Ultimate Training Camp” in Fort Collins, Colo., and it had a profound affect on her.</p><p>“I attend FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) meetings at Alabama and they showed us an AIA video about the camp at one of the meetings. I told my friends right then, 'I'm sold. I want to go.'”</p><p>Go she did, and she talked profoundly of “living out her faith in your sport for an audience of one.</p><p>“Playing for God and for no one else made a huge difference for me.”</p><p>In July, Gray will attempt to qualify for the U.S. Women's Amateur and will play in the Tennessee Open before defending her State Stroke Play title.</p><p>Future Masters</p><p>The 64th playing of the storied Future Masters began Sunday at Dothan Country Club. Age groups for 10-under, 11-12 and 13-14 compete three days ending Tuesday, with the 15-18 age group teeing it up Thursday-Saturday.</p><p>Tuscaloosa boys to look for include Northport's Seth Rogers (10-and-under), with Trey Rose, Jackson Seawell and William Walker III all competing in the 15-18 age group.</p><p>Last year's overall champion was Wilmer's Robby Shelton IV, who will begin his freshman year on the golf team at the University of Alabama this fall.</p><p> Greystone Invitational</p><p>Tuscaloosa's Tyler Hitchner was crowned champion in the 13th playing of the prestigious Greystone Invitational on the Founders Course at Greystone Golf & Country Club in Birmingham on Sunday. The 17-year-old, who will be a homeschooled senior this fall, shot rounds of 73-72-69-72 for a 2-under-par total of 286. He beat Caleb Sturgeon on the first playoff hole, the par-5 18th, with a par, becoming the youngest winner of this event.</p><p>Hitchner has verbally committed to play for the University of Alabama in 2014-15. Recent Alabama senior Scott Strohmeyer finished tied for third at 289, with current Alabama golfer Tom Lovelady tied for fifth a stroke back.</p><p>University of Alabama junior Justin Thomas finished tied 30th in the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship. Thomas parlayed a sponsor's exemption to fire rounds of 72-66-66-73—277 in the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship and finish 3 under par.</p><p>Ian Thompson has been writing about golf in Alabama for nearly 20 years. His weekly “Mr. Golf” column concentrates on golfers, golf events and people associated with the sport of interest to the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham areas. Reach him with story ideas at ian@thompsonteesoff.com.</p>